Giants Find A Winning Formula

NFL - Game Day - WEEK 5

October 11, 2004

IRVING, Texas -- The New York Giants aren't just winning. They're doing the kind of things winning teams do. Like making a stand on fourth-and-1 deep in their own territory, then again at midfield in the fourth quarter. Like using a drive-reviving defensive penalty as a springboard to the go-ahead touchdown. And not giving up on Tiki Barber after a slow start, leading to a 58-yard run on that pivotal drive. Barber finished with 122 yards rushing and a touchdown and Steve Christie kicked four field goals, lifting the Giants past the Dallas Cowboys 26-10 Sunday.

GIANTS STORY LINE

It was New York's fourth win, all in a row since losing its opener. The Giants won only four games last season.

COWBOYS STORY LINE

Bill Parcells blamed himself for the failed fourth-down attempts, although he added he wouldn't have needed to try creating momentum if Dallas (2-2) had played better. In addition to 11 penalties, the Cowboys' first fourth-down failure left them with no points after driving to New York's 5, and they squandered a 2-minute drill before halftime with a fumble that led to Christie's second field goal.

TURNING POINT

A tight game for 21/2 quarters tilted toward the Giants when a questionable roughing-the-punter penalty gave them a fresh start from their 28. Jeff Feagles drew the flag by dropping his leg on top of Dallas' Keith Davis, who was crouching to avoid contact. Feagles fell, then got up and complained, helping convince officials he'd been decked. On the next play, Barber raced 58 yards down the left sideline. Kurt Warner capped the drive with a 1-yard pass to Jeremy Shockey, putting New York up 13-10.

SUNDAY'S SURPRISE

Down only six with about 10:30 left, Parcells opted to go on fourth-and-1 from his 43. A swing pass to fullback Darian Barnes was stopped for no gain. Tom Coughlin's knowledge of Parcells may have paid off as New York's defense spread the field instead of packing the middle as it did on the first try -- a run, like the Giants were expecting.

BY THE NUMBERS

76: Yards receiving on five receptions by Barber, the league leader in all-purpose yards and No. 2 in rushing.